by Faulina Arif
From this time Aria will observe him closely or if she wants it to be easier, she will kill him. Sacrificing one's life is more beneficial than dozens of life.
She was arrived in her hideout, Aria quickly climbing the stairs to upper floor. All the night Aria can't sleep because she was busy hunting those monsters. She wasn't so sure now that she can be called a human, but even it like that, she can still feel tired and need a rest like a normal human.
She opening the door and feel shocked. She found her resting place was shattered. All of her weapon is vanished and what's left is only table, chair and a small bed. That furniture too was also destroyed.
"ARGGHH!!!!" Aria shouted angrily while kicking the remains.
Aria approaching the window and look outside. Since when all of this happened? Is it at night when I'm not here? Aria hitting the wall beside her before then leaving that place as soon as possible.
Aria didn't expect the people from organization became smarter. This is their first time succeed in finding Aria hideout. All this time Aria will only leave her hideout if she feel that place was used for too long, never she leave her hideout because she feel it no longer safe.
The anger that she felt was visible through her face, and more bothering feeling she felt that now disturbing her mind. Maybe she must be happy, that crazy person with their monsters didn't hide there and ambush her. She thinks it was possible if she was here that night, she will be captured by them. But, it's possible that it will happen otherwise. Aria can catch that person. yes, she know it all along it will not be easy but that chance is rarely happened. That’s why she feel so annoyed.
After travelling for at least 60 minutes, Aria come to the address she was looking for. A concrete house with classic style standing firm in front of her eyes. She go down from her sport bike and opening the house gate then closing it like before, she then walking in the house premises while looking around her. Not for long she walked toward the door and pressing a bell.
She waited for a few minute and no one opening the door. Aria forehead crinkled, she feels it was natural to distrust someone that she recently know. Ignoring all politeness, she walking around the house to find a gap so she can sneak inside.
She knows what she was doing now is impolite, but this is her chance to find out about that man. Whether he can be trusted or no.
With her skill in lock picking, Aria managed to open the back door, then without wasting any time she walked inside. Nothing inside is suspicious, a ray of light going through the windows making a comfortable atmosphere with its brightness. Even so Aria is still aware and careful. Aria checking all the room and looked at any item that she consider as suspicious. And after checking everything, her suspicion was subsided and she can be at ease.
The sound of someone turning the key in the front door was heard. With fast movement she jumped to the back of the door and hide there. in a second that door was opened and the man that she know was appeared, he carrying many plastic bag.
That man turn back to close the door, but he was surprised by Aria that was standing there in the back of the door. She let out a smile that was a bit forced.
"Am I . . . intruding?" Aria asked
"N-no . . .” Evan answered
After Evan can regain his composure, Evan turned around and walked followed by Aria that walks behind him.
Evan put his entire plastic bag in the kitchen table "Is everything fine?" He asked without looking at Aria.
"Those bastards found my hideout and destroying it. If I can say that was fine, I am not in here now."
Evan takes out the boxed juice inside the plastic bag and looked at Aria "I'm not against it, if you want to stay in here."
"You . . . Are so kind. I can't help but feel if it's suspicious." Aria looked at Evan, her eyes squinted
Evan cynically smiles."Living alone for a long time is not comfortable, Aria. Isn’t that right? This is tiring, one by one our loved one died leaving us in peace, but we are still here. Be left behind and always meet with a new people, starting everything all the way from the start."
Aria become quiet. She know how it feel, losing all her loved ones but she can't do anything, many times she think to go after them in the peace of death but she can't. Aria is alone, and she must accept the truth. And she must accepted herself as a cursed human that can only bring misfortune to others.
"Want a drink?" Evan asked and made Aria awake
"What did you do after that war?" Aria asked then looked at Evan
Evan sighed."I really don’t want to talk about that Aria, at least not now."
Aria fall silent.
Evan approaching Aria and suddenly touching her cheek softly, it made Aria surprised and pulling her head to the back, she become aware because of surprise.
Evan retracting his hand and forcing a smile "Take a rest for a while, I will cook a delicious food for you. We will talk about everything once your fatigue is gone. I can see it clearly in your face, you worked too hard."
Aria can't answer, she still feeling surprised with Evansweet treatment that so sudden.
"You are not alone anymore Aria, even so for me. Live as how human should live. Forget all of your hatred and anger, enjoy your time and rest easy. I will protect you."
"I . . . , will rest." Her voice filled with doubt
Aria turned around leaving Evan, she go toward his room like she was instructed. Not hard to find his room, because before that man come home Aria was checking all the room.
Aria sit in the edge of his bed. One more time she looked around the room and this time more thoroughly. Evan room is neat and modest for someone that have a big and luxurious house with wide premises. Compared to what she saw in living room and guest room, the furniture inside his room is less than those place. There was a wardrobe made of glass located in left corner of the room, and in the right corner there was a computer desk. Meanwhile in the wall beside the door there was a bookcase that filled with many kind of books, stationary, and some of super hero figures toys. These super hero figure toys only exist in his room, she can say Evan loved and idolized a super hero, those toys can tell about his character.
Quite satisfied with what she saw, Aria laying down her body in the bed. She shut her eyes, enjoying her time like she was advised. Soft and comfortable.For a very long time Aria never sleep in a soft bed. She can say, all of her fatigue in her body is leaving her away and for a while she was enjoyed this feeling. Not thinking about her vengeance and not worrying about what will happen next.
IRISE DELEGNERE
Each person have a bad memory in the past, Evan and Aria is not an exception. Sweet or bitter, those memory will form and create someone character in the future. Becoming a flame that causing someone to possess a reason and purpose in treading the path of one's life.
At first Aria didn't think that way. All of bitter memories that she was treading before in half of her life make her wish and yearning for death.But, there was no good way to die for her and it made her feel helpless.
"Aria?Are you alright?" Evan asked
Aria is awake from her daydream. She lift her face and looked at Evan that was sitting in her opposite direction, separated by a table.
"Am I bothering you? Are you not happy, because it's with me?" Evan asked
"Not like that." Aria answered in low voice
Her meeting with Evan that was so sudden disturbing her very soul. Happy, sad, angry, Aria didn't know what feeling that was disturbing her the most at this times. Even though it was already for a several days after their first meeting, just like a dream, Aria can find someone that same as her. Someone of the same past.
"So, why did you not finish your food?" Evan glanced at Aria's plate that still full "Are you disliking my cooking?"
"This food is delicious." She answered while eating her soup.
That man in front of her has done much for her sake. Providing a place to stay and cooked for her. At least one thing that she can do to appreciate his kindness is to
eat and finish the food.
Evan smiled. That man looked very happy and can't turn his face from Aria. His black eye continued to see her beautiful face. Yes, he was bewitched by her beauty, for a long time.
From the first time he know about Aria, then when he saw her with his own eyes in reality, Evan was undoubtedly fall in love toward her.
Aria has realize that indeed, since long ago Evan looked at her with a smile that always there. By how he was looking at her and from his glittering eyes, she know what that feeling was. Aria is experienced with that. Because of that, her heart was depressed and she feel uncomfortable. Aria trying to ignore that look, she hoped that his mesmerizing charm will not melt her frozen heart and made her forget, she live all this time is not for that feeling. Aria was sure, she was destined to not feel any happiness in her life.
After dinner, Aria and Evan take a sit in the recreation room located in the side of the house. that room is very comfortable with woody design. Although the other room was normal, this room is different. The floor was made from real wood and the wall is painted by the wood image and color. There is a long sofa with pale brown color in that room, and a folding bed in the side near the door. And the other furniture is several multi level wooden table that was placed by a pot of flowers.
Aria come near to the wall to see a few photo in the frame. Evan was seen very happy with his pet dog.
"Evan Rudolph, is that your real name? and you have a pet dog?" Aria said in disbelief.
"That name was unused for a long time. How about you? is Aria your real name?"
Aria turned around "Yes, call me that. I like it. where is your dog?"
"Died . . . long time ago. I'm always be left behind. Sad, right? That's why I don't want any pet ever again."
Aria walk toward Evan and sit beside him in half meter distance "How can you reach this country?"
"I think that we must keep moving from place to place, I think this place is calm and comfortable. I mean, I heard from many people, this country people is friendly and nice."
Aria smiled, she remembering something."Yes, someone said that same thing to me long ago."
"Is that your reason coming here?"
"One of many. if I had a chance, I want to meet with that someone that I know long ago."
"Do you have a hint? maybe I can help you."
Aria exhaling her breath "Unfortunately no, but there is one thing that you can do for me, I need an information concerning the organization that always targeting me."
Evan fall silent. He turn his face and seems reluctant to fulfill that request.
"I think you know something about them, and you said it before that you wanted to help me." Aria pleaded.
"Yes, that is still in progress. I still looking at it"
Looking at his facial expression that suddenly changed, a suspicion in her heart arose.
"I had a feeling that you . . ., unwilling to help."
Evan looked back at Aria, he takes a deep breath and exhaling it."That's right, I'm unwilling to help. But I was promised to help you and, only that is what you want from me."
Aria eyes squinted "Hey, what is your problem?"
Evan leaned his body toward Aria."You not understand?" Evan looked at Aria intently. "Or you pretend not to understand?"
Aria fall silent and gulped.
"I love you." Said Evan without a doubt.
"You . . . what are you talking about Evan?"
For a moment Evan become quiet. But his eyes still looking at Aria, attempting to permeate her feeling and hoped to make her understand.
"You know what I meant Aria."
Aria became more silent.
"Stay beside me, I can give you love and happiness. We will live normally like other human. I wanted to take care of you, protect you, and make you the happiest woman in this world."
Aria shake her head while at the same time letting out a sorrowful smile. Her eyes glisten, hatred and suffering was seen inside there.
"No one can protect me Evan. Not after what they do to me." She said with bitter smile.
Evan now was silent "Can't you forget everything?"
"Forgetting it?" Her eyes opened wide and her anger was overflowing and nearly exploded. "I will cut down their body one by one until there's nothing left with my own hand." Her voice became loud.
"What did they do to you Aria?" Evan asking in confusion because he looked at Aria anger. that anger is unlikely because of her terrible past.
Aria stand up from the sofa and walk toward the window. She stand there, staring the outside view, through the transparent glass. Suddenly the cold attack her whole body, making her face pale and her eyes filled by fear. Aria can feel it again. Fear, agitation, sadness, anger and hatred that merges into one word, Vengeance. that dark memory emerged from her deepest mind, one of her nightmare that will never leaving her and always haunt her all the night. Giving her a bitter regret that will never end. Her dark past, a little part of her bad memory that can she never forget.
Lost Piece
Sun light made Irise sweat and it flowed throughout her body. She wipe out her sweat several times with a towel, but she still felt uncomfortable. She think if she take a bath with cold water after work the sensation will bring her an ultimate bliss. especially after doing a hard work like she was doing now. Even so she still enjoy this work as a farmer, plucking a tomato fruit while shouldering a fruit basket in her back.
A long time ago Irise was doing this kind of work. Although only for once, she liked it because she, at that time can talk to person that she really admired. A one and only person that can make Irise fascinated and make her unable to blink. That is one of her beautiful memories.
"Irise, you can rest. Don't force yourself." Albert said
Irise turn her head, and looked at Albert that she consider as her own parent. "I am fine, I was happy to help." She answered in smile.
Albert returned her smile. Albert can sense a pure sincerity from every word Irise said. For 6 month Irise stayed in his house, not only Aria, Albert too also liked and glad she was here in his family.Aside from becoming Aria playmate, in many occasion Irise always teach Aria to do many things and helped Albert doing his work. One of that work is to help harvesting in the garden.
Irise remove a few of rotten tomato from its tree to be putted in garbage basket. That young woman take a short breath staring at the garbage basket beside her that now almost full. If she compared those rotten ones with a good ones, the number of rotten tomato is 3 times more than the good ones. And it was only for today harvesting.
"Aplenty of it, right?" Albert approaching Irise and for a moment stare at that pile of rotten tomato.
Irise looked at Albert."What happened exactly?"
"It was begins caused by a catastrophe, for around 2 years ago. There was an earthquake, and a few region in this kingdom was destroyed by it."
Irise surprised. "I never heard of it."
"Long ago our village is flourishing and prosperous. That is why when the catastrophe happened, many people from another village evacuated to our village. Because there is too many people staying in our village, our village quickly become a dirty place. Meanwhile the kingdom official won't help and neglected us. Not only they scramble for a place to live, many refugee was starving and then it bring out a feeling of envy toward us, the first inhabitant. They want to take our place of live and moreover they burn the nobles wheat field." Albert sighed
Irise fall silent.
It's hard for Irise to believe Albert story. She didn't expect it before, that this beauty and prosperous kingdom with many of natural places evidently had its own dark story. An unbelievable story that not as sweet of foreigner thinks. Does the king doing this on purpose, as to not let that dark story spread to another kingdom because he would not want to make their reputation to be bad.
"Then what happened after that?" Irise was curious.
Albert look around the garden and then switch his view toward the sun in the sky.
"I will tell that in the way home, the sun is increasingly scorching."
Irise nod and then following Albert that walk in front of her.
"Certainly, us the first inhabitant banishes those people that doing those crimes. But, because we don’t have a heart to banish the children, woman or elderly, we still allow the innocent to stay. Part of them decided to stay, but they hated us because we banishes their family from this village. Envy and hatred is a dangerous things, Even the other people kindness will become a prejudice in the other's eyes.
"Yes, you are right." Irise commented with sad expression.
"For surviving, those refugee requested a permission to kingdom official to open a new land for farming. They cut down many trees indiscriminately that eventually causing the arrival of pests, those pests attacking our village and finally they bring about plague. many of villagers died, and our crop was becoming bad to worse."
"Why you and the other villagers are not choosing to leave?"
Albert cynically smile."It's not that easy, this village was well known as a village with a friendly people, but it's a different story with another village. Because of that, all of those refugee evacuated to this village when the catastrophe happen. To leave this village, we need an appropriate exchange. The villagers in other village will not accepted us just like that. They was afraid the same accident will happen if they welcome us with open arms. And more over, the other village is far away from here, we don’t have much money or something that can guarantee our safety. That is our reason why still stayed here."
"How about the royal government? did they do something to these problems?"
"That is what they do!" Albert pointing his finger to a medical post.
Irise looked at the direction he was pointing. Some of medical physician and two kingdom guard was standing there. They looked like very busy to serve some of villagers that come for medical treatment.